A possible approach from BCS through HTS to RTS with three examples

► Events in the search for room temperature superconductivity (RTS) are recalled. ► The historic rise in superconducting transition temperature (Tc) is detailed. ► A holistic multidisciplinary empirical approach to RTS is proposed. ► The possible existence of an interfacial mechanism for enhanced Tc is demonstrated. ► A technique to stabilize metastable phases for higher Tc is demonstrated. This paper is based on my talk delivered at the superconductivity centennial conference in The Hague, the Netherlands, on September 23, 2011, to explore the possibility of room temperature superconductivity according to what we have learned from the past, especially in the last 25years since the discovery of high temperature superconductivity. While the field of superconductivity is broad, I have chosen to focus on the advancement of Tc, which has been a major driving force for sustaining research on superconductivity for the last 100years, ever since its discovery by Heike Kamerlingh Onnes in Leiden. A holistic multidisciplinary enlightened empirical approach is proposed with some specific steps following a brief summary of the past history in the search for superconductors with higher Tc. Before concluding, three specific examples of our effort toward superconductors of higher Tc are given to demonstrate that the future in raising Tc is vast and bright.